CHAPTER 2: Solitude

CHAPTER 2: Solicitude 

“Do not worry, my father will be touching ground tomorrow. I'll arrange a meeting with him as soon as he gets here”. Alan responds on the other side, speaking cautiously so as not to attract the attention of other people especially Cordelia, his secretary who is always glued to his side like a shadow.

“How did you know Kingsley Wills? What is your relationship with him?” Alan probes. It is surprising that Louisa, who is just being recognized in the business world, would be familiar with the billionaire CEO of Palmer Tech. 

“Not your business” Louisa cuts in and immediately drops the call. She walks to her car, her mind filled with the incident earlier. 

She had agreed to seduce Alan publicly because she desperately needed his help to get to his father, the renowned Dr Craig. With Dr Craig performing the cardiomyopathy transplant on Liam, his chances of surviving would be raised to 35%. It is a great deal compared to if other surgeons were to perform the surgery.

She knows that Alan's reason for giving her that condition is not only spite and punish her for refusing his sexual advances and quitting his company five years ago but also to prove a point to his own wife, Marie Craig, the only child to the founder of Modu Tech.

Marie is constantly acting up, making it obvious that she is the force behind Alan and he is a nobody without her. So, the jerk decided to prove to her in front of everyone that other women with business intellect find him desirable, while killing two birds with one stone.

“How pathetic”, Louisa mutters under her breath. She enters the car and zooms off to Kings County Hospital Centre, Brooklyn. Feeling overwhelmed, trapped and unable to escape her own thoughts, hers mind swirls back to when she gave birth to her little hero.

Liam, that wonderful little boy has been suffering since birth, having been born with an hereditary heart disease, cardiomyopathy.

And now, he has to face the danger of a major surgery at a tender age of four. All because of her actions and decisions. Even his father had a lot of time to mature before going through the transplant but Liam's case is filled with so many medical complexities that she does not even understand. 

But Dr Fred made it clear that Liam must get the surgery ASAP as he can't be treated conservatively anymore. 

Tears streaming down her face in silence, she pulled up at the parking lot, gave herself a few minutes to calm and wipe her face before making her way to Liam's hospital room. 

“Honey, mommy is here” she called, sliding the door open and shut. “Are you asleep already?”, she continued, nudging him gently. 

“You're late mom, of course I should be sleeping. It's past my bedtime already” Liam returned, scrunching his little face and puckering his lips into a playful pout.

“Would you look at that! A four year old scolding his mommy” Louisa replies while playfully tingling him and a laughter erupts between son and mother. 

“I've told you to always act your age and stop trying to sound like an adult, haven't I?” Louisa continues tingling him playfully and he keeps laughing. 

“But how can I, mom, when I've never been to a school or made any friends. The people around me are adults so you can't blame me, can you?” Liam responds, innocently smiling but Louisa's face drops in sadness and she heaves a heavy sigh.

“Mom, are you okay?” Liam is surprised by the sudden change in mood of his mother.

“I'm sorry baby, for putting you through this hell at a young age. Am really sorry” Louisa pats Liam on his shoulder but the boy looks confused.

“Everything is going to be fine baby. You're going to be fine, I promise. The best surgeon is going to treat you and then you will go to school. You will make a lot of friends and act the four years old that you are. Okay?”

“Yes mommy” 

“Hi guys!”chimed Dr Fred, sliding the door shut as he came in. “How is it going champ?” He continued, raising his right hand for a high five with Liam, their palms slapping in a resounding smack.

“Hi Fred, I was just going to ask Liam about you. How are you doing? Is your shift over?” Louisa offered, exhaustion written all over her face.

“Yes, my shift is over. I just finished my rounds and wanted to see if Liam needed anything.”

“Uncle Fred ran a lot of tests this afternoon and said I could move around without an IV stand.” Liam chipped in excitedly. It is becoming tiring to always be escorted by the IV stand whenever he leaves his hospital room.

“Really? That's good baby…you should sleep now, I'll see uncle Fred off and come right back, okay?” Louisa replies tucking the bed covers all over Liam and petting him to sleep 

Dr Fred watches the duo, a loving grin spreading across his face. “Good night champ” he called, still smiling.

“Good night uncle Fred, see you tomorrow.” Liam returned, nudging into the pillow for a good night's rest. 

“Let's go now.” Louisa grabs Dr Fred and gently pulls him out the door after Liam closes his eyes. 

“You look tired, Louisa. I can stay here with Liam while you go home and get a good rest.” Dr Fred spoke affectionately hoping Louisa would take his offer.

“It's okay Fred, you're doing so much for me already. Who knows what heinous deed you committed in your past life to be stringed with someone like me in this life not only as a friend but also as a neighbor.” Louisa playfully teases Fred who laughed out loud.

“Come on, don't start again Louisa. It will be my utmost pleasure to continue to be of service to you and Liam.” Dr Fred responds still laughing as they make their way to the parking lot.

“You really don't have to stay here tonight. Why don't you just go home and leave Liam to me? You can just bring a change of clothes for me on your way to work tomorrow.” Dr Fred continues affectionately, wondering when Louisa is going to learn to completely rely on him. 

“Am fine Fred.” Louisa maintains, handing him her apartment keys. “Here, bring me a change of clothes tomorrow. And my laptop too. That's what you can help me with.” She continues, smiling and nudging him towards his car. 

“Good night neighbor, drive safely okay?” Louisa waves and turns to head back but Fred takes a firm hold of her right hand, staring directly into her eyes, his gaze intense yet he

sitant, like a gentle touch that didn't quite make contact.